Melguizo-Ibanez, EduardoGonzalez-Valero, GabrielBadicu, GeorgianYagin, Fatma HilalAlonso-Vargas, Jose ManuelArdigo, Luca PaoloPuertas-Molero, Pilar2024-08-042024-08-0420232296-861Xhttps://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1215359https://hdl.handle.net/11616/101496IntroductionScientific literature has now demonstrated the benefits of an active lifestyle for people's psychological health. Based on the above statement, the aim was to (a) evaluate and adjust a structural equation model containing the variables anxiety, self-concept, and Mediterranean diet adherence and (b) contrast the proposed theoretical model by studying the differences between the variables according to the level of weekly physical activity in a sample of 558 university students. MethodsA non-experimental, exploratory, cross-sectional investigation has been proposed. Instruments such as the PREDIMED Questionnaire, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and the Form 5 Self-Concept Questionnaire were used to collect data. Results and discussionThe results illustrate that students showing low adherence to the Mediterranean diet had higher levels of anxiety (M = 0.95) than those showing a high degree of adherence (M = 0.75). It is also observed that young people with a high degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet report higher scores in the different dimensions of self-concept compared to young people with a low degree of adherence. In conclusion, it is affirmed that young people who show a high degree of adherence to this dietary pattern show lower levels of anxiety and greater recognition of the different areas of their self-concept.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessMediterranean diet (MD)self-conceptanxietyphysical self-conceptuniversity studentsArticle103753892010.3389/fnut.2023.12153592-s2.0-85166556901Q1WOS:001041109000001Q2